I could go on and on torturing the jerk, but I think it's time Grace had her eyes opened a bit more.

DISCLAIMER: Owning only my twisted little imagination….sadly.

UNFORTUNATE – Chapter 7

Craig left his meeting with a tight jaw. He had been praised for his work, to be sure. But he had also been praised for his work with the CBI. It had been decided that going forward that any cases involving the CBI and the FBI, he would be the liaison. He had nodded and smiled tersely when he was told the news

He hated working with the CBI. He liked seeing Grace, but hated working with those self important jerks. Lisbon wasn't too bad. But Jane was a loose cannon who had no business in law enforcement. Cho hated him, and the feeling was mutual. Rigsby at least had learned to stay away from him.

He would do what he was told, of course. But he would not be happy. With any luck, there wouldn't be too many cases where they would share jurisdiction. The FBI didn't share. It didn't need to.

He didn't get lucky. Two days later the CBI caught a case that involved a Federal Judge. Normally, the Feds would take precedence. But the judge was married to a State Senator, so the CBI was called in as well. Craig tried to make them second chair. He didn't count on Lisbon. He came into the CBI giving orders that she and her team ignored. She gave her own orders. His luck got worse. He was again sent into the field with Rigsby.

When they got to the home of the Judge, they began to question the staff. Craig went by the book, and asked only the questions he thought were important. Most of the staff had been with the judge and the senator for years. They were all upset. Craig didn't really notice.

After working with Patrick Jane, Rigsby had learned a few things. The most important was to notice all the details and to watch people. When the housekeeper kept looking at the cabinet under the sink, he figured there was something up. After they left the kitchen, they headed toward the car. Suddenly, Rigsby turned and headed back swiftly. He caught the housekeeper's son climbing out of that cabinet.

It turned out the son had a video of the crime on his cell phone. The judge had broken up with his girlfriend. She had a brother who took it worse than his sister. He cut the brake line on the judge's car just enough to leak fluid.

Rigsby's instincts had solved the case. He knew that. O'Laughlin knew that, and he was not happy about it. When they got back to the CBI, Craig's boss was there and congratulated him. Rigsby just stared at him, but said nothing. Once the Feds left the building with the suspect in custody, the unit gathered around Rigsby. It was Jane who voiced it for them all.

"So, Wayne, why did you let him take credit? He didn't even have a clue, did he? Don't bother to deny it, it's written all over your face."

Lisbon cocked her head to one side, clearly waiting for the answer. She had a feeling she knew what it was and wouldn't like it. Rigsby was a good agent. He was sharper than people thought. He liked doing his job and it was not like him to take a back seat like this.

"Rigsby?"

"Oh, does it really matter? The freaking Feds were going to take the collar anyway."

The sharp answer and dismissive tone were out of character for the normally happy man. But Lisbon knew he hadn't been happy since Van Pelt and he were forced to break up. Certainly he had done a good job of acting professional, but there was a decided change to the man.

Grace walked in just then. The rest of the unit was standing around Wayne's desk. He didn't look happy and Lisbon looked irritated. She knew he had been sent out with Craig and that was never good. She hoped nothing else happened. She could only imagine how angry Craig would get.

At Grace's approach, Wayne sat up straighter and pulled a piece of paper out of the file, trying to look busy. He was pissed that O'Laughlin had stolen the credit and arrest, but wasn't going to start a fight with the guy. No matter what he thought of the jackass, he was still Grace's boyfriend. If he was in a good mood, he was nice to Grace. That was important.

"What's going on? Are we celebrating the closed case? I heard Craig got the guy."

Cho snorted. "You can celebrate if you want. I won't celebrate a cheat."

"What?"

"Yeah, ask your boyfriend, or better yet, read the file." He handed it to Grace and walked away. This much information from Cho all at once was huge. Grace looked at Lisbon and Jane for clarification. She tried not to look at Rigsby too often. His hurt eyes still haunted her.

Lisbon started to answer, but Jane cut her off.

"What Cho isn't saying and neither is Rigsby, is that Rigsby here figured out the clues, found the evidence and caught the killer. But your federal boyfriend is taking the credit. And since Wayne is still in, well, Wayne is trying to be the better man. But have you figured that out anyway, Grace?"

With that cryptic question, Jane headed for the kitchen. It was time for a cup of tea. Grace swung an inquiring look toward Lisbon.

"Van Pelt, the case is closed. The FBI has taken over. We know our part in it. It is in the official report that we will file. But I am sure it will be lost in the larger file. It happens. It's one of the reasons we try to cooperate with them, but only when we are forced."

She turned and headed back to her office. This left a stunned Van Pelt holding a file and Rigsby looking steadfastly at a piece of paper on his desk.

"Rigsby? Wayne? What happened?"

After a long pause, he looked up at her. Part of him wanted to scream at her that he still loved her. That same part wanted to kiss that anxious look she had been wearing lately off her face. He took a deep breath.

"It's all about the turf, you know that. I just wish they would assign someone else to work with us."

He too got up and headed for the kitchen. He wasn't really hungry for once, but he had to get some distance between himself and Grace. She looked at the file still in her hands. Taking it back to her desk, she read the reports carefully. When she realized what they were all talking about, her head snapped up. She stood and headed for the stairwell to get some privacy.

Craig answered on the first ring. She knew she had a special ring tone, so she wasn't surprised.

"Hey, I was going to call and see if you wanted to get a steak to celebrate?"

"Celebrate?"

"Yeah, Grace, I got the guy. This is looking really good for me."

"You got the guy?"

"Yeah. Does 7 work for you?"

She shook her head in disbelief. Clearly, he was going to take credit. She tried again.

"What happened?"

"Oh, I'll give you the details at dinner, but let's say my work was the chisel that broke this thing wide open."

"Your work"

"Yeah, nothing like instincts and that federal training. So, 7?"

"Um, what? Oh, no, I can't. I have a lot of paperwork at this end. You know, tying up everyone else's reports for the final file. The rookie's work. I read the file, ya know?"

"Oh, come on babe. Do it early tomorrow. You know you're always up anyway."

Cho was right. Craig fully planned to take credit for Wayne's work. She was a little sickened by him at that moment.

"No, I really can't. The report needs to be done and accurate. Good bye"

She suddenly wished the phone was a landline that she could slam down. She was so pissed at him. Part of her was pissed at herself. Why was she with this guy? Why did Wayne let him do this? She needed answers.

Her phone suddenly came to life. It was Craig. She was tempted to let it go to voice mail, but knew he would call and call.

"Yes?"

"What the hell? You hung up on me?"

"No, I didn't. I have to get back to work. I really can't talk now."

"Nice Grace! You don't even congratulate me?"

"I read the reports Craig. Do you understand? I read the reports. I know what happened. I think I need some time right now. Just so you know, I am hanging up now. Good bye"

This time when her phone buzzed, she ignored it. She was heading for the gym. She needed to punch a bag and do some thinking.

She's getting there slowly. Don't ask me what happens next. Until the bunnies are fed and sit on my netbook, I have no idea. But reviews feed the bunnies!